Traditional Children's Songs & Nursery RhymesThe Farmer in the Dell

A Collection of lyrics for traditional nursery rhymes and songs for kids.

The Farmer in the Dell

Traditional Version
Written By: Unknown
Copyright Unknown

The farmer in the dell
The farmer in the dell
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The farmer in the dell
The farmer takes a wife
The farmer takes a wife
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The farmer takes a wife
The wife takes a child
The wife takes a child
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The wife takes a child
The child takes a nurse
The child takes a nurse
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The child takes a nurse
The nurse takes a cow
The nurse takes a cow
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The nurse takes a cow
The cow takes a dog
The cow takes a dog
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The cow takes a dog
The dog takes a cat
The dog takes a cat
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The dog takes a cat
The cat takes a rat
The cat takes a rat
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The cat takes a rat
The rat takes the cheese
The rat takes the cheese
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The rat takes the cheese
The cheese stands alone
The cheese stands alone
Hi-ho,The derry-o
The cheese stands alone

Circle Game:
Ten children (or more) join hands and dance around the FARMER, who stands in the center of the circle as they sing. At the end of the first verse,the FARMER chooses his WIFE, who joins him inside the circle. At the end of the next verse, the WIFE takes a C
HILD, and so on, until the last verse when everyone is in the circle except the CHEESE, who stands alone. Whoever ends up being the CHEESE becomes the FARMER for the next round.